These tips are to be used at your own risk. If you have an expensive
watch and have no experience with watches, then you should go see your
watchmaker or jeweler!! Always be careful as it is easy to cut your hands
trying to change a band or trying to open a watch!!

Changing Bands

Very often, I hear from owners who would like to change the
band on his/her watch. Sometimes it is a relatively easy job. However, some
bands need to be changed by the professional. Leather bands and cloth one-piece
bands like the one below can often be easily changed by the owner.

Metal bands can be a nightmare. They must be sized to fit, and they are often
hard to remove AND hard to fit to size without the proper tools. Every now and
then I slip and cut myself trying to remove or fit a metal band. So, if seeing
your own blood is not your bag, leave it to your jeweler or watchmaker.

Band removal - Some bands are part of the case and cannot
be removed, so examine your band to see if it is part of the case. Most
removable bands are held to the watch case with telescoping bars that are spring
loaded. I call them spring bars. They fit through a through hole in each end of
the band. These bars are hollow, and are made of either stainless steel or
plated brass. They come in many sizes, widths, thicknesses, and some are even
curved. Some are heavy duty, for example Rolex Oyster (tm) and diver's watches
generally have hefty spring bars. Inside the spring bar is a "spring."
The expanded spring bar must be larger that the distance between the lugs of the
watch. The lugs of the watch (the part of the watch that the band attaches) are
drilled with a hole in each lug. The ends of the bar can be pushed in to make it snap into
the holes. Once in, it can be difficult to get out. If the lugs are drilled all
the way through, then you are in luck. For then, all you have to do is insert a
small tool (such as a paper clip end) into the outside end of the lugs to
compress the spring bar and hence remove it. Generally, a watchmaker's case
knife (see below)

with a small blade (1-in long is fine) (not a real sharp one)
can be slipped between the band and the lug and pushed away from the lug to
catch the spring end of the bar. There are special band tools that are sold for
removing spring bars. The tool has a screwdriver blade with a notch cut into it
to fit over the spring bar on one end, and a thin cylinder on the other end to
push out spring bars for watch cases with lugs drilled all the way through.
However, I use the knife as I have better luck with it for leather bands. When
it comes to metal bands with a slot in the back, I just use an old screwdriver
of the proper size to fit into the slot. But be careful or you will cut yourself
if you slip.

Cutting out spring bar - If the spring bar is fitted with
both ends fully inside the hole, then you must cut out the spring bar. I use the
knife to push back the leather band, and then employ a cutting pliers (cutter at
end) to clip the spring bar. If the leather band is to be thrown away, just cut
the band off entirely and then cut the spring bar in the center. It is easy to
cut the spring bar in the center as it is hollow. However, the ends that are
spring loaded are solid. Be VERY careful not to cut into the case.

Unless the old spring bars look perfect, use new spring bars
when you change the band. Spring bars are cheap. Even nice stainless spring bars
for expensive watches are only a dollar or so each. If the spring bar is
old and has a weak spring, it may slip out and you may no longer have a watch on
your arm when you look down to see the time!!!

Changing Watch Batteries (really a watch cell)

You can save money by changing the battery in your watch. However,
if you have an expensive watch, it may not be worth it. If you have an
inexpensive watch, then you have little to lose. Most of the common
inexpensive watches have a snap on back. But, these backs can be very
difficult to open, AND difficult to close. Watch batteries are dangerous
to pets and small children as they may be swallowed. So, dispose of them
properly. A snap back case can be removed with a watch case knife by
pressing the knife into the seam between the case back and the watch
frame. Press hard and then twist slightly. Most batteries in
inexpensive watches can be pried out with a small screwdriver as they are held
in place only with a spring clamp. The better watches have a strap over
the watch battery that is held down by a screw. The screw must be loosened
or in some cases removed. Since the strap is a spring, the strap will
often shoot the screw into the air when it comes loose. So, be
careful. If the old battery has leaked, then your watch may be
ruined. Sometimes, you can use a pencil eraser to clean the terminals if
the battery has leaked. Be sure to put the new battery in the watch in the
same orientation as the old battery. Batteries have a positive side and a
negative side, so the polarity must be correct. Make sure to replace any
o-ring or rubber gasket in the case back if it falls out of the case back.
If you have some silicon grease, apply it to the gasket before closing the
back. Sometimes a press is needed to close the back as it must snap
on. Be careful or you can break the glass crystal when pressing a case
back together. We will try to add a few pictures in the future to help you
out.

Removing scratches from the watch case and band

I have written a lesson on how to do this. It is lesson #8. I
can't give all of my secrets and tricks away for free!!!

Removing scratches from glass crystals

There are special kits available to do this. Removing deep
scratches is not practical. Removing scratches from plastic crystals is
much easier. Simply use fine sandpaper to remove the deep scratches and
then polish with the special crystal compound that we sell on our website.
You will need a buffing wheel for this job or you may be able to use a Dremel
tool or drill with a small cloth wheel.